British Caving Library

Good to hear Geoff's voice again after a lot of years. We were at Bath Academy of Art in the late 60's and early 70's and he and Dave Timmins introduced me to Caving and the supreme madness of Cave Diving. I showed the delights of snorkelling. It would be good to get in touch as I am nearly 60 and have managed to survive 35 years as a Lifeboat Crew, RNLI employee and Lifeguard. If there is a contact for Geoff, could you let me know. All good things, Tony C

This was a typical Hunters Lodge Back Room song. New verses appeared at regular intervals. They were true folk songs. Fortunatly many words to such caving songs were published in "They Words, They 'orrible Words" by Nick Cornwell-Smith, but it is difficult to learn to sing songs just from a book. It would be great if those who still remember any vintage caving songs could put them on tape before it is too late. Then it would be easier for younger cavers to sing them.

The singer is Mike Holland. The verses relate to prominent Wessex cavers of the day. Frank Frost was the Club Secretary (who had a rather uncomplimentary song about him) George Pointing did indeed rescue an unfortunate trout? from Long Churn, and Jim Giles (who was a very strong caver had an aversion for sumps.)

The song is the Tankards Hole Song The singer, Bob Lawder, wrote the song, though he can't remember the words here!

The song is "The Wessex Hymn"

Missing from the list of Ken's colleagues are Bob Gillibrand and Alan Clegg.

Just for the record Ken Pearce's companions were:- Jeff Morgan, Ron Ferguson, Bob Wright, Nigel Harper, Jed Scott, Nobby Booth, Jeff Lees, Bobbie Toogood, Mike Boon and his fellow diver Steve Wynne-Roberts.
CDG Diving Review 1963 p27

A great rememberance of Oliver. The neighbours at Withy Close were not so keen on Oliver's love of plants and his belief that "there is no such thing as weeds". He held to this philosophy by studiously avoiding any cutting or pruning. Consequently the front door was approached through a green tunnel and the top of the jungle reached to the roof! I must correct the date stated by Prof Savage re Oliver's last appearance on Mendip. He brought his film to the Hunter's Lodge on the first day of the British Cave Rescue Council Conference on Friday 17th May.

I knew that OCL went to Glyndebourne every year, but did not know of his depth of interest in music. But then he excelled in everything in which he took an interest including caving, cave diving, and his genuine Punch and Judy shows.

I was with Bob, Lewis Railton, Arthur Gemmell and Budge Burgess when Bob first got through the sump at Hull Pot (about 1940). Bob ducked down in the narrow passage and came up on the other side after what seemed forever. I remember an alarmed Railton saying " What the hell, Bob!" when Leakey failed to appear right away. I think he got some of his gear stuck! I was a skinny 16-year old kid - about 9 stone - and did not have to duck. I squirmed through in a horizontal way, head above water. Now I'm 85! Wouldn't do it today, you can be sure! If ever there was a survivor, in the hairiest positions, it was Bob Leakey!

Just for the record, Mike actually missed Spiral Aven on his original trip. I spotted it when poking around whilst Mel Gascoyne and Dave Checkley were busy surveying, and got as far as the bad step across.

On the follow up trip, I remember that when I arrived at Bree Junction on my own, saying to myself "Eureka! Grange Rigg left, Ingleborough Cave right..."

Good old Bob Leakey, a man of iron if ever there was one. I was with Bob and Budge Burgess in 1940 when we first 'discovered' the entrance to Simpson Pot. I got the job of holding the surveying line while Arthur Gemmell took his bearing with a compass and jotted down the distances by the number of knots in the line.

Later I went with Budge on a cold weekend (hitch-hiked up from Settle to Kingsdale) and held the light while Budge banged away with a hand drill to make the hole through which we finally blasted a way through the sump, then went all the way to Slit Pot and down into Swinsto.

The erroneous statement about Sid Perou being amongst the first group of people, after Bob Leakey, to explore Inauguration Caverns in Ingleborough Cave ought to be scotched once and for all. Bob Leakey, with other NSG members, made the discovery in 1954 and the trips that Sid was on were in 1959 (I was on them as well). Bob also made a few trips with members of the Bradford Pothole Club, including Alf Hurworth, shortly after his breakthrough and these were written up and published in a BPC Journal. This comment should also be appended to Sid's piece about the discovery of Inauguration Caverns and anywhere else it appears. It will be a pity if this archive isn't correct factually as there will be a very real danger of these records being taken as 'gospel' and used as a source by researchers of the future.

I was very fortunate to have a trip into the Hensler's Series with Eric Hensler, in August 1968 during one of Dick Glover's Gaping Gill Field Meets. The intention was to visit the Far Country, discovered a few months earlier. Eric was unable to get through the Blowhole for some reason, so he waited for 45 minutes with his pipe whilst we went further.

At the time, I had been caving for under a year, and I distinctly remember realising what a privilege it was to be there with him. Eric was a gentleman - modest, quiet, and very correct, but when pushed he was very willing to share his memories with us. I found the few days spent in his company inspirational.